Biological Scientist

Job Family:

Scientist (Digital)

Travel Required:

None

Clearance Required:

Ability to Obtain Public Trust

What You Will Do:
We are currently searching for a Biological Scientist. The individual will independently provide support services to satisfy the overall operational objectives of the National Institute on Aging – Center for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias (CARD). The primary objective is to provide services and deliverables through performance of support services. This is a full-time opportunity located in Bethesda, MD.

• Independently design, troubleshoot, and carry out various molecular cloning experiments related to CRISPR interference tool development and iPSC differentiation.

• Use SnapGene software to design and plan novel cloning projects.

• Work with staff on performing large-scale iPSC cell culture experiments.

• Work with staff on performing various experiments and procedures related to differentiation and phenotyping of induced pluripotent stem cell lines.

• Work independently in designing, developing, and performing new methods.

• Work with staff to characterize genetic pathways for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD) using human cell-based models.

• Evaluate the stability of iPSC and iPSC-derived cells across multiple engineered and non-engineered lines.

• Work with staff to apply published protocols for cell differentiation to IPSC lines, microscopy, and molecular analysis.

• Work with staff to provide insight into the effects of ADRD-associated mutations on molecular readouts in cell culture.

• Support other research projects.

• Collect, Analyze, interpret, and organize data and present results in team and departmental meetings.

• Keep detailed, organized, and accurate digital and physical experimental records.

• Update and maintain laboratory notebooks and databases.

• Attend meetings and present results and findings for staff discussion.

• Transform bacteria with agar and liquid culture.

• Perform plasmid miniprep, maxiprep, giga prep using column-based extraction kits.

• Prepare plasmid samples for sequencing by external companies.

• Perform genomic DNA extraction using column-based extraction kits.

• Prepare custom genomic DNA libraries for next-generation sequencing.

• Collaborate with other team members to carry out large-scale cell culture protocols using manual and high throughput robotic systems.

• Transduce iPSCs with lentivirus and transfect iPSCs with plasmids as part of routine cell culture experiments.

• Perform standard immunological techniques, including western blotting and immunostaining.

• Perform flow cytometry on iPSCs.

• Provide scientific and technical expertise to all visiting fellows, post-docs, and technicians internal and external.

• Mentor junior level scientists by supporting other research projects.

• Train staff on the proper usage of laboratory instruments and equipment.

• Calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot instruments and equipment in the laboratory.

• Maintain and perform staff training on scientific instrumentation, cell culture microscopies, microanalytical balances,

• centrifuges, automated platforms.

• Operate, troubleshoot, and train others to use laboratory equipment and software.

• Provide assistance to laboratory staff in designing experiments, using instrumentation, data acquisition and analysis, and preparing figures for publication.

• Review scientific equipment and resources including reagents, stocks of frozen cells, mammalian samples including acquisition, documentation, and storage.

• Mentor junior level scientists by training them on the proper use of equipment.

• Develop new differentiation protocols for iPSC lines to differentiate into disease-relevant cell types like neurons, astrocytes, and microglia.

• Develop image analysis routines to analyze the effects of disease-associated mutations on cellular phenotypes.

• Willing to learn how to operate, and implement novel methods on liquid handling platforms (Hamilton, Biotek, etc.)

• Willing to learn and maintain in-house flow cytometry machine.

What You Will Need:

• Master’s degree in Biology, Cellular Biology, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Genetics, Biochemistry, or related discipline.

• At least four (4) years of experience in research or laboratory setting.

• Hands-on experience with molecular cloning design, implementation, and troubleshooting.

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